i am in a play where i must have a british accent, i need some ideas on where to go to learn?

Answer 1

So far, every single response you've received is supporting the notion that dialects are something that you just sort of learn by osmosis. I have to disagree, at least partly.

There are people, undoubtedly, who have a nice intuitive "knack" for dialect. But, speaking from my long experience as a theatre-goer and practitioner...NOTHING is as distracting as a bad or imperfect dialect. And often, what people THINK of as accurate is nothing of the sort.

As a director, I'm constantly looking at actors' resumes on which they claim to be the master of numerous dialects. But, when I ask for a demonstration, what emerges is the fact that they have only the barest inkling what that dialect involves.

Yes, watching British films will help you with some dialect basics and -- more importantly -- you'll start to get a feel for the different "musicality" of British English (as opposed to American English). But, that's not everything you need to know. You need to know -- very specifically -- which vowel sounds need to be transposed and which do not, and under which circumstances. You need to know about certain unusual consonant issues (e.g., Brits might pronounce "nephew" as "NEV-you," or "figure" as "FIG-uh"). For that matter...do you need "standard" (BBC) Brit, or something more working class (cockney)...?

My recommendation is that you take advantage of one of the several dialect tapes that are readily available. I especially like David Alan Stern's "Acting With an Accent" series (google it; you'll find them). He addresses the nuts-and-bolts issues, as well as the more right-brain stuff (where the voice should be "placed" for various dialects) in an especially actor-friendly manner.

Answer 2

You don't actually have to go out and learn. Accents are hard to maintain as well throughout a play, but you have it easy with British. Just watch movies like Harry Potter - listen to how they speak, and just repeat their lines, even, and try not to sound Australian, there's a fine line. To maintain it, go around talking in an accent for the entire day - just warn people. hehe. You can also watch talk shows where the guests are British, and still have an accent, or listen to the radio and just get your mouth around the words. I'm assuming you don't have to speak full English, with all their words lol.

Answer 3

I agree that dialect tapes are a very good idea. I don't know where you're based, but if you can get the BBC World Service on the radio, (or any British radio online, suggest BBC Radio 4 which is largely discussion, see www.bbc.co.uk for details,) you should find plenty of source material there too.

You'd need to watch for regional accents as well - someone from Manchester would say 'right' in a completely different way to someone from Liverpool, and they're only 60 miles apart.

Wishing you success.

Answer 4

Watch an English movie- like Harry Potter. Listen to how they pronounce the words. Hear a sentence, then stop it and say the sentence out loud. Always say it out loud- it's different than in your head. I like to find a word or phrase that is easy to say in the accent I want to use . I say it before I start to speak. It helps me wrap my tongue around the speech pattern. Once you've got the idea, use the accent for a while- like at home in the evening. Of course, it helps if you have parents like mine- they thought it was fun and would do it with me!

Answer 5

Actually, there are different types of British accents, depending on where in Britain you live. My advice is to watch Monty Python. Those guys were experts at doing different accents.

Answer 6

you don't need to go somewhere to learn..just listen and practice alone..listen british movies,music,,and do it as much as you can it's important that your inner ear..get used to that kind of accent..although it might sound funny when you'll try for the first time to speak with british accent,,but it's up to you..listen and repeat until you do it perfectly :)

Answer 7

if you can find some old robin leach footage thats perfect but if not listen to bbc on the radio,,english accents are easythink mr and mrs howell from gilligans isle..lol

Answer 8

watch british movies
listen to british radio
listen to british music

Answer 9

watch a british movie. some people are lucky and it comes naturally to them. does it work with you?

Answer 10

find movies that suites your play age( I mean if you role in a play of 18th century, you should find movies that tells story of the same era). But select movies carefully.